Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Sarah's Bookshelves Live
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 Circle Back with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) (Ep. 211) | 19 Nov 2025 | 00:52:29 | |
In Episode 211, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books catch up on the 14 new releases they shared in the Fall 2025 Book Preview, now that they've read them — or at least tried to! They share their reading stats and discuss which books worked and which didn't…and why. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights
Sarah's Picks
Sarah's Picks
Catherine's Pick
Other Books Mentioned
Sarah's Picks
Catherine's Picks
Other Books Mentioned
Catherine's Picks
Other Books Mentioned
Sarah's Pick
Catherine's Pick
Other Books Mentioned
Catherine's Pick
| |||
| State of the Publishing Industry in 2025 with Laura McGrath, Author of the textCrunch Substack (Ep. 210) | 12 Nov 2025 | 00:54:07 | |
In Ep. 210, Laura McGrath, author of the popular Substack newsletter, textCrunch, joins Sarah to take a sharp look at the State of the Publishing Industry in 2025. This packed episode covers a high-level look at the top sales and book trends, as well as Laura's insights into the future of the book world for 2026. Also, Laura shares her favorite books of 2025! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights
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| Ep. 202: 2025 Micro Genres We Love with Susie (@NovelVisits) | 06 Aug 2025 | 00:52:35 | |
In Episode 202, Susie (@NovelVisits) and Sarah explore some of their new favorite Micro Genres. Since starting the Micro Genres series, they've loved taking the opportunity each year to examine and define their tastes in these sub-sub-genres. This year, they have curated a list of 10 all-new Micro Genres, along with notable books for each category. With over 80 books mentioned, this is another year of niching down for some great book recommendations! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Books Told From the Perspective of the Person Left Behind (Sarah) [2:26]Sarah
Susie
Sarah
Susie
Other Books Mentioned
Sarah
Susie
Other Books Mentioned Books By Irish Authors Telling Distinctly Irish Stories (Susie) [17:35]Sarah
Susie
Other Books Mentioned
Sarah
Susie
Other Books Mentioned
Sarah
Susie
Sarah
Susie
Sarah
Susie
Other Books Mentioned
Sarah
Susie
Other Books Mentioned
Susie
Other Books Mentioned
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| Ep. 113: Spring 2022 Circle Back with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 25 May 2022 | 00:47:24 | |
In the Spring 2022 Book Preview, Catherine (Gilmore Guide to Books) and I shared our most anticipated books that released April – May 2022. In today's episode, we're circling back to update you on the books we've had a chance to read — or at least attempted. Given my ongoing success rate with spring releases, I'm starting to wonder if that is just the best season for my type of books! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Introducing Summer Shelves (a companion to my Summer Reading Guide)…
Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Pick:
April Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
May Sarah's Pick:
Catherine's Picks:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| Ep. 112: 2022 Summer Reading Special with Susie (@NovelVisits) | 18 May 2022 | 01:06:51 | |
Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I share our favorite books that missed last year's Summer Reading Guides, some deep backlist books we think are great for summer reading, and our #1 picks for four categories featured in Sarah's 2022 Summer Reading Guide. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Introducing Summer Shelves (a companion to my Summer Reading Guide)…
Sarah
Susie
Sarah
Susie
Something Light / Fun
Something Fast Paced / Intense
Something with a Bit More Substance
Something Different
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Susie has loved reading for as long as she can remember. Some of her fondest childhood memories involve long afternoons at the library and then reading late into the night. More than ten years ago, she began journaling about the books she read and turned that passion into writing about books. Her first forays were as a guest reviewer on a friend's blog, but she soon realized she wanted to be reviewing and talking about books on a blog of her own. From there, Novel Visits was born. That was in 2016 and, though the learning curve was steep, she loves being a part of the book community. Novel Visits focuses on new novel reviews (print and audio), previews of upcoming releases, and musings on all things bookish. | |||
| Ep. 111: Dolen Perkins-Valdez (Author of Take My Hand) + Book Recommendations | 04 May 2022 | 00:48:33 | |
In Episode 111, Dolen Perkins-Valdez (author of Take My Hand) shares details about the real-life events that inspired the book about a tragic story and historical landmark in the battle for women's rights. Dolen also talks about her research methods and a couple of key themes from the book. Take My Hand was a 5-star book for me and will be one of my favorite books of 2022! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Dolen Read
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Dolen Perkins-Valdez is the New York Times bestselling author of Wench and Balm. She was a finalist for two NAACP Image Awards and the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award for fiction, and she was awarded the First Novelist Award by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. Dolen is the current Chair of the Board of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation. On behalf of the foundation, she has visited nearly every public high school in the District of Columbia to talk about the importance of reading and writing. She is currently Associate Professor in the Literature Department at American University and lives in Washington, DC with her family. | |||
| Ep. 110: Memoir / Essays 101 with Mary Laura Philpott (Author of Bomb Shelter) + Book Recommendations | 20 Apr 2022 | 00:53:37 | |
In Episode 110, Mary Laura Philpott (author of Bomb Shelter) joins me for a deep dive into the memoir & essays genre, including the differences between a memoir and an essay collection, the level of involvement from editors and publishers, and how she personally approaches writing a memoir or essays. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
The CURRENT READING TREND She DOESN'T Love [45:35] One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Mary Laura Read
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Mary Laura Philpott is the author of the brand-new memoir, Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives, which has been named an Indie Next pick by booksellers nationwide, an Amazon Editor's Choice selection, and a best book of the spring or most anticipated book of the year by publications ranging from the Washington Post to TODAY.com, among others. She is also the author of the national bestseller I Miss You When I Blink — which was named one of NPR's Favorite Books of 2019 and a finalist for the Southern Book Prize. Her writing has been featured by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and other publications. Additionally, Mary Laura (yes, she goes by both names) is a former bookseller and was an Emmy-winning co-host of A Word on Words, the literary interview program on Nashville Public Television. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her family. | |||
| Ep. 109: Spring 2022 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 06 Apr 2022 | 00:49:22 | |
Welcome to the Spring 2022 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! In this episode, Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out in April – May 2022. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcements
April Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
May Sarah's Pick:
Catherine's Picks:
*Book's release date changed since the time of recording. About Catherine GilmoreBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| Ep. 108: Winter 2022 Circle Back with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 30 Mar 2022 | 00:52:12 | |
In the Winter 2022 Book Preview (Ep. 102), Catherine (Gilmore Guide to Books) and I shared our most anticipated books set to release January – March 2022 (with one early April release). Today, we're giving an update on the books we shared in the Winter Preview — now that we've had the chance to read them. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
January Sarah's Pick:
Catherine's Picks:
February Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Pick:
March Sarah's Pick:
Catherine's Picks:
April Sarah's Pick:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| Ep. 107: Behind the Scenes of Ghostwriting with Barbara Feinman Todd (Author of Pretend I'm Not Here) + Book Recommendations | 23 Mar 2022 | 00:51:37 | |
In Episode 107, Barbara Feinman Todd (author of Pretend I'm Not Here) takes me behind the scenes of ghostwriting after a career of writing for many top names in Washington, DC. Barbara is wonderfully candid and we have a fascinating discussion all about the nuts and bolts of ghostwriting, and the emotional and personal side of the business. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Barbara Read
Barbara Feinman Todd is the author of the 2017 memoir Pretend I'm Not Here. She taught journalism at Georgetown University for 25 years, where she was the founding Journalism Director and is currently professor emerita. Cofounder of the Pearl Project, she coauthored the e-book The Truth Left Behind: Inside the Kidnapping and Murder of Daniel Pearl. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Glamour, the Huffington Post, the Daily Beast, Newsweek, and on NPR. | |||
| Ep. 106: Superlatives with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 09 Mar 2022 | 00:55:07 | |
Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books joins me for a special Superlatives episode where we are answering from the fourth bucket of questions submitted for the Ask Me Anything episode of Sarah's Bookshelves Live. We give you a little taste of the bonus Monthly Superlative episodes Catherine and I often do for the Patreon community. This format is a favorite of mine, allowing for a bit more candor and a lot of fun. Today we tackle questions about our all-time favorite books, re-reads, auto-buy authors, favorite audiobooks, and more! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcements
ALL-TIME FAVORITE BOOKS [03:15] Catherine:
Sarah:
AUTO-BUY AUTHORS [09:59] Catherine: Sarah:
FAVORITE AUDIOBOOKS [14:03] Catherine:
Sarah:
FIRST BOOK THAT SPARKED YOUR JOY OF READING [18:09] Catherine:
Sarah:
ALL ABOUT RE-READING [21:23] Catherine:
Sarah:
SIGNIFICANT / IMPACTFUL BOOKS [28:00] Catherine:
Sarah:
BOOKS THAT MADE YOU FEEL SEEN [33:47] Catherine:
Sarah:
SARAH'S FAVORITE LITERARY MYSTERIES & SLOW-BURN SUSPENSE [36:48] Literary Mysteries: [37:14]
Slow-Burn Suspense: [35:41]
FAVORITE SPORTS FICTION [38:44] Catherine:
Sarah:
FAVORITE BOOKS IN LEAST FAVORITE GENRE [41:55] Catherine (Horror):
Sarah (Horror & Romance):
IMMEDIATE TURN-OFFS [46:14] WHAT MAKES A BOOK EASY TO READ [49:34] SENIOR MAIN CHARACTERS [51:44] Catherine:
Sarah:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| Ep. 105: Thrity Umrigar (Author of Honor) + Book Recommendations | 23 Feb 2022 | 00:47:34 | |
In Episode 105, Sarah and Thrity (author of Honor) tackle some hard-hitting questions related to the themes in her emotional book: religion, women's rights, and identity. Thrity discusses the complicated relationship an immigrant often has with their homeland and the complex duality of human nature. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Thrity Read
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Thrity Umrigar is the bestselling author of eight novels, including The Space Between Us, which was a finalist for the PEN/Beyond Margins Award, as well as a memoir and three picture books. Her books have been translated into several languages and published in more than fifteen countries. She is the winner of a Lambda Literary Award and a Seth Rosenberg Award and is Distinguished Professor of English at Case Western Reserve University. A recipient of the Nieman Fellowship to Harvard, she has contributed to the Boston Globe, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and Huffington Post. | |||
| Ep. 104: Catherine Ryan Howard (Author of The Nothing Man and 56 Days) + Book Recommendations | 09 Feb 2022 | 00:54:11 | |
In Episode 104, hotly anticipated guest, Catherine Ryan Howard (author of The Nothing Man and 56 Days), joins me to discuss her journey to becoming an author, behind-the-scenes of making of her books, her process for writing successful crime thrillers, and how much real-life crimes and circumstances influence her stories. Be ready for some non-graphic dead body talk. Plus, Catherine shares some breaking news about her upcoming novel! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Catherine Read
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| Ep. 201: Lidija Hilje (Author of Slanting Towards the Sea) + Book Recommendations | 23 Jul 2025 | 00:52:58 | |
In Episode 201, author Lidija Hilje talks with Sarah about her debut novel, Slanting Towards the Sea. Spanning two decades and one transformative summer in Croatia, Slanting Towards the Sea is a love story that also delves into the profound journey of coming of age in a nation younger than you are. Lidija shares lots of details about how this book came to be and the inspiration for the story and its lush Croatian setting, which becomes a character of its own. They also discuss how the Croatian War of Independence influenced both her own childhood and the novel's narrative. Plus, Lidija shares some of her top book recommendations! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T Love
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Last 5-Star Book Lidija Read
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| Ep. 103: The Best Backlist Books We Read in 2021 with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 26 Jan 2022 | 00:54:55 | |
In Episode 103, Catherine Gilmore (@gilmoreguide) and I share the best backlist books we read in 2021. We each share our top 5 backlist books from 2021, as well as some underrated backlist gems. Catherine and I both had a lot of success in 2021 with backlist reading, and this was especially true for me in comparison to my overall reading for the year. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcements
Sarah
Catherine
Sarah
Catherine
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| Ep. 102: Winter 2022 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 12 Jan 2022 | 00:56:54 | |
Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out January – March 2022 (and one early April release). Also, stay tuned for my Most Anticipated Books of Winter 2022 blog post, coming out soon. On there, I'll share some of the books I talked about in this episode, but also some I didn't. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement
January Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
February Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Pick:
March Sarah's Pick:
Catherine's Picks:
April Sarah's Pick:
*Book's release date changed since the time of recording. About Catherine GilmoreBlog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| Ep. 101: Fall 2021 Circle Back with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 22 Dec 2021 | 00:51:42 | |
In the Fall 2021 Book Preview (Ep. 93), Catherine and I shared our most anticipated books that were coming out August – December 2021. Today, we're updating you on the books we shared in the Fall Preview…now that we've had the chance to read — or at least attempt them. Many Fall books lean more literary, which hasn't been working well for me lately, and overall, the Fall 2021 books didn't turn out quite how we'd hoped. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement
Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
August Catherine's Picks:
September Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
October Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
November Sarah's Picks:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over six years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| Ep. 100: Ask Me Anything with Catherine from @GilmoreGuide | 08 Dec 2021 | 01:06:19 | |
Today, we're celebrating the 100th episode of Sarah's Bookshelves Live with a very special Ask Me Anything episode co-hosted by Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books. Catherine turns the tables to ask me all the questions you submitted. We go behind the scenes of the podcast, talk about my reading life, and my life outside of reading. Plus, Catherine answers a few questions! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcements
Behind the Scenes of the Podcast [05:47]
Reading Life & History [37:37]
Life Outside of Reading [50:30]
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| Ep. 99: Best Books of 2021 and Bookish Superlatives with Susie from @NovelVisits | 24 Nov 2021 | 01:11:24 | |
In Episode 99, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I share our favorite books from 2021, overall and by genre, along with a ton of bookish superlatives. We also talk about whether our reading has recovered from COVID and I reflect on the past year of the podcast. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). I also included Bookshop.org affiliate links. Announcements
Susie
Sarah
Susie
Sarah
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Susie has loved reading for as long as she can remember. Some of her fondest childhood memories involve long afternoons at the library and then reading late into the night. More than ten years ago, she began journaling about the books she read and turned that passion into writing about books. Her first forays were as a guest reviewer on a friend's blog, but she soon realized she wanted to be reviewing and talking about books on a blog of her own. From there, Novel Visits was born. That was in 2016 and, though the learning curve was steep, she loves being a part of the book community. Novel Visits focuses on new novel reviews (print and audio), previews of upcoming releases, and musings on all things bookish. Next EpisodeIn two weeks (December 8), Catherine (@gilmoreguide) and I will be celebrating the 100th episode of Sarah's Bookshelves Live with the "Ask Me Anything" episode. | |||
| Ep. 98: Behind the Scenes of Opening a New Indie Bookstore (with the Founders of The Book and Cover) | 10 Nov 2021 | 00:51:20 | |
In Episode 98, the three founders of The Book & Cover (@thebookandcover) join me to share a behind-the-scenes look at everything that goes into opening an independent, brick-and-mortar bookshop. We discuss non-traditional way they financed the business, how they learned the reading taste of their community, and how a new indie builds its inventory. Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Other Books Mentioned: Two NEW Books She Loves
Other Books Mentioned: One Book They DIDN'T Love
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Other Books Mentioned:
Other Books Mentioned: Blaes Green enjoys running, knitting, wrangling kiddos, and sobbing over epic family sagas. In her day job, she manages a team of customer service representatives in manufacturing for her family's 100-year-old Chattanooga printing business. She is running the New York City marathon in a month! Emily Lilley enjoys cooking, playing with her dachshund Bertie, and curling up with a cozy or smart TV comedy. In her day job, she is the Vice President of External Affairs for a statewide education policy and advocacy nonprofit. Emily and her friend Audrey are writing their own mystery series! Sarah Jackson enjoys organizing, Enneagramming, glitter, and getting lost in magical realist tales. In her day job, she is the chief operations officer of her home. In college, Sarah "beta" read fan fiction. Next EpisodeIn two weeks (November 24), Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) will join me to discuss our choices for the 2021 Best Books of the Year. | |||
| Ep. 97: Christine Pride and Jo Piazza (Authors of We Are Not Like Them) + Book Recommendations | 27 Oct 2021 | 00:58:16 | |
In Episode 97, Christine Pride and Jo Piazza share how their co-authored novel (We Are Not Like Them) explores how hard it is to have conversations about difficult topics even between dear friends. We discuss why they decided to write a book with a lifelong, interracial friendship at its core, and how they handled collaborating on a book with a plot revolving around a fraught topic. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books They Love
Two NEW Books They Love
Other Books Mentioned: Two Books They DIDN'T LOVE
Other Books Mentioned: Two NEW RELEASES They're Excited About
Other Books Mentioned:
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| Ep. 96: 2021 Debuts Special with Susie from @NovelVisits | 13 Oct 2021 | 00:55:32 | |
In Episode 96, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I share some of our favorite debut novels and discuss why we gravitate toward debuts. We also discuss our reading stats for debut novels, as well as exploring some sophomore novels...the good, the not so good, and those we're still awaiting. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). I also included Bookshop.org affiliate links. Highlights
Sarah
Honorable Mentions
Susie
Honorable Mention
Sarah
Susie
Sarah
Susie
Sarah
Susie
If you'd like to track your own reading stats, check out my downloadable spreadsheet. Learn more about the 2021 Rock Your Reading Tracking Spreadsheet here, or by becoming a supporter on Patreon and choosing the Superstar level, you'll get the upcoming 2022 Reading Tracker included with your membership. | |||
| Ep. 95: Cheryl Diamond (Author of Nowhere Girl) + Book Recommendations | 29 Sep 2021 | 00:53:30 | |
In Episode 95, Cheryl Diamond joins me to discuss what it was like to have been "born a ghost," her outlaw life with her fugitive parents, on the run from Interpol and other government agencies, and what brought her to detail her tumultuous childhood in her latest memoir, Nowhere Girl. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
By the age of nine she had lived in more than a dozen countries, on five continents, under six assumed identities. She was home-schooled by her parents who were evading Interpol and various other law enforcement agencies. At sixteen, Cheryl was scouted by a modeling agency and arrived in New York City with nothing but $300, her cat, and a fair bit of life experience. Between shoots and castings, she began to write. Model: A Memoir, a behind the scenes account of her life as a young high fashion model, was published by Simon & Schuster five years later. The book was featured by the New York Times, the L.A. Times, Good Morning America, and Fox News Live. Her second book, Naked Rome, tells the story of the Eternal City through the eyes of its most fascinating people, and was published in 2019. Cheryl's newest project, Nowhere Girl, the shocking true story of her outlaw childhood, hit shelves on June 2021. She currently lives in Rome and obeys the law — most of the time. | |||
| Bonus Episode: Double Booked with @gilmoreguide (A New Podcast Series for Patrons) | 22 Sep 2021 | 00:58:24 | |
Today, we're bringing you a sneak peek of a new podcast series for patrons! Double Booked is a monthly series where a co-host (Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books and Susie from Novel Visits will alternate months) and I will each share our own book recommendations in the same format as the big show (2 old books we love, 2 new books we love, 1 book we didn't love, and 1 upcoming release we're excited about). Moving forward, these episodes will be available to "Superstars" patrons for $7 / month (join here). This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcements
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| Ep. 200: 200th Episode Celebration with Susie and Catherine | 09 Jul 2025 | 01:07:42 | |
Welcome to the 200th episode of Sarah's Bookshelves Live with a very special celebration with both co-hosts: Susie (@NovelVisits) and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books. Today, they are answering listener-submitted questions all about their reading journeys, their podcast journeys, and some about their pre-podcast blogging days! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights
Key Moments in Their Reading Lives [1:59]
Their Professional Reading Journeys [34:17]
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| Ep. 94: Mysteries & Thrillers 101 with Kimberly McCreight (Author of Friends Like These) + Book Recommendations | 15 Sep 2021 | 00:51:16 | |
In Episode 94, Kimberly McCreight (author of Friends Like These) joins me to deep dive into the mysteries & thrillers genre (including the difference between a mystery and a thriller, how involved authors are in deciding their books' titles, and what makes a great twist…and to talk about the inspiration behind her new novel. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Kimberly McCreight is the New York Times bestselling author of Reconstructing Amelia, which was nominated for the Edgar, Anthony, and Alex Awards and was called Entertainment Weekly's Favorite Book of the Year. Reconstructing Amelia has been optioned for film by HBO and Nicole Kidman's Blossom Films. Ms. McCreight's second adult novel, Where They Found Her, was a USA Today bestseller and a Kirkus Best Mystery of the Year. She is also the author of The New York Times bestselling young adult trilogy The Outliers (The Outliers, The Scattering and The Collide), optioned for film by Lionsgate and Reese Witherspoon's Pacific Standard. Her next novel, an adult mystery set in Park Slope, is forthcoming in 2020. Ms. McCreight attended Vassar College and graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and two daughters. | |||
| Ep. 93: Fall 2021 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 01 Sep 2021 | 00:53:14 | |
Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out August – December 2021. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement
August Catherine's Picks:
September Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
October Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
November Sarah's Picks:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| Ep. 92: Circling Back to Summer 2021 Preview Books with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 25 Aug 2021 | 00:51:17 | |
In the Summer 2021 Book Preview (Ep. 86), Catherine and I shared our most anticipated books coming out June – July 2021. But, we often haven't read the books we share in the Preview Episodes. So, in this new series, we will "circle back" to update you on all the books we presented in the previous season's Book Preview now that we've at least attempted to read them. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Bonus Books
Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
June Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
July Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| Ep. 91: Caitlin Wahrer (Author of The Damage) + Book Recommendations | 18 Aug 2021 | 00:52:19 | |
In Episode 91, Caitlin Wahrer (author of The Damage) shares how she decided to tackle sexual assault of a man by a man, how she felt about writing a gay male protagonist as a straight woman, and how the U.S. legal system is re-traumatizing for sexual assault victims. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Caitlin is a Maine girl through and through. She was born to two hippies who raised her in a small town in central-southern Maine without a single stoplight in it. Caitlin left the state for four years to study criminal justice and marriage and family studies at a college in Pennsylvania. She returned to Maine after graduation to attend law school and practice law. She and her husband live in southern Maine with their dog. | |||
| Ep. 90: Megan Abbott (Author of The Turnout) + Book Recommendations | 04 Aug 2021 | 00:48:02 | |
In Episode 90, Megan Abbott (author of The Turnout) shares how she chooses the worlds she writes about, the expectations of women in sports, and how she researches the worlds she writes about. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Megan Abbott is the Edgar-winning author of the novels The Turnout, Give Me Your Hand, You Will Know Me, The Fever, Dare Me, The End of Everything, Bury Me Deep, Queenpin, The Song Is You and Die a Little. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, Salon, the Guardian, Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times Magazine, and The Believer. Her stories have appeared in multiple collections, including the Best American Mystery Stories of 2014 and 2016. Her work has won or been nominated for the CWA Steel Dagger, the International Thriller Writers Award, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and five Edgar awards. Formerly a staff writer on HBO's David Simon show, The Deuce, she is now co-creator, executive producer and show-runner of Dare Me, based upon her novel, for the USA Network and, internationally, Netflix. Born in the Detroit area, she graduated from the University of Michigan and received her Ph.D. in English and American literature from New York University. She has taught at NYU, the State University of New York and the New School University. In 2013-14, she served as the John Grisham Writer in Residence at Ole Miss. She is also the author of a nonfiction book, The Street Was Mine: White Masculinity in Hardboiled Fiction and Film Noir, and the editor of A Hell of a Woman, an anthology of female crime fiction. She has been nominated for many awards, including three Edgar Awards, Hammett Prize, the Shirley Jackson Prize, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the Folio Prize. | |||
| Ep. 89: Behind the Scenes of Indie Book Buying with Elizabeth Barnhill (Fabled Bookshop) + Book Recommendations | 21 Jul 2021 | 00:52:10 | |
In Episode 89, Elizabeth Barnhill (book buyer for Fabled Bookshop) goes behind the scenes about what it's like to buy books for an independent bookstore. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Elizabeth Barnhill is the book buyer for Fabled Bookshop and Cafe located in Waco, TX. Originally from Alabama, she has lived in Texas for most of her life. Elizabeth graduated from Baylor University and worked as a speech pathologist before landing her dream job reading books for a living when Fabled opened in 2019. Elizabeth has been married for 25 years and has three kids in high school and college. | |||
| Ep. 88: Jesse Q Sutanto (Author of Dial A for Aunties) + Book Recommendations | 07 Jul 2021 | 00:47:49 | |
In Episode 88, Jesse Q. Sutanto (author of Dial A for Aunties) shares her family background, how she integrated it into her novel, and her family's reaction to the book. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Jesse grew up going back and forth between Jakarta and Singapore and consider both places my homes. She was fortunate enough to do my Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Oxford, which is surely one of the most gorgeous places in the world. She's passionate about women's rights and diversity in publishing. She regularly does giveaways where she critiques queries or the first few pages, and she's especially interested in helping writers from marginalized communities. | |||
| Ep. 87: Tia Williams (Author of Seven Days in June) + Book Recommendations | 23 Jun 2021 | 00:43:35 | |
In Episode 87, Tia Williams (author of Seven Days in June) shares how she wrote such a meaty romance novel and what it's like to be an author with chronic pain.
This post contains affiliate links (plus: here's your Amazon Smile-specific affiliate link), through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
Two Authors She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Tia began her career as a beauty editor at YM, Elle, Lucky, Glamour, and Essence. In 2004, her debut novel, The Accidental Diva hit shelves – and she went on to publish the It Chicks series and co-write Iman's The Beauty of Color. Tia's award-winning novel, The Perfect Find, is being adapted for a film starring Gabrielle Union for Netflix. Her latest novel, Seven Days in June (Grand Central Publishing), debuts in June 2021. Currently an Editorial Director at Estee Lauder Companies, Tia lives in Brooklyn with her daughter and her husband. | |||
| BONUS SNEAK PEEK: Beyond Bookstagram (June 2021) | 18 Jun 2021 | 00:16:54 | |
I'm thrilled to share the first episode of what will be a new bonus podcast episode series for $5/mo patrons of the show. To hear these episodes every month, join the Sarah's Bookshelves Live Patreon Community! BEYOND BOOKSTAGRAM is a bonus podcast series that highlights lesser known books that are not splashed all over Instagram (either backlist or under-the-radar newer books). A rotating featured patron shares 3 books she/he loves that are not splashed all over Bookstagram. And, I add my own commentary or research on the 3 books. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). If you join our Patreon Community (sign up here!), you also get:
Kristi Phillips is a 46 year old pediatric nurse practitioner living in the Chicago suburbs. She's the mother of 3 kids ages 6-12. She reads pretty much anything except fantasy, science fiction, romance. Her favorite genres are literary fiction, literary mystery, memoir, and true crime. A couple of her all-time favorite books are: The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai, The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne, and The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. She doesn't mind crying when she reads! Kristi's Beyond Bookstagram Recommendations [3:04]
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| Ep. 86: Summer 2021 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 09 Jun 2021 | 00:50:36 | |
Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out June – July 2021. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcements
June Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
July Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| Ep. 199: Best Books of 2025 (So Far) with Susie and Catherine | 25 Jun 2025 | 01:04:31 | |
In Ep. 199, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits), Catherine Gilmore (@GilmoreGuide), and Sarah are all back on the mic, ready to catch up on how their reading is shaping up for 2025 — so far! They talk about the current publishing landscape, what books are topping bestseller lists to date, and their personal reading as it stands halfway through the year. They share reading stats and talk about expectations and hopes for the remainder of the year. Plus, their TOP 5 books and their biggest disappointments so far. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. The Bookish Landscape [1:13]Books Mentioned
Books Mentioned
Susie
Catherine
Sarah
Other Books Mentioned
Susie
Catherine
Sarah
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| Ep. 85: Circling Back to Spring 2021 Preview Books with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 02 Jun 2021 | 00:50:33 | |
In the Spring 2021 Book Preview (Ep. 80), Catherine and I shared our most anticipated books coming out April – May 2021. But, we often haven't read the books we share in the Preview Episodes. So, in this new series, we will "circle back" to update you on all the books we presented in the previous season's Book Preview now that we've at least attempted to read them. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement
Sarah's Picks:
April Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
May Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
June 1 Sarah's Pick:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| Ep. 84: Paula McLain (Author of When the Stars Go Dark) + Book Recommendations | 26 May 2021 | 00:49:10 | |
In Episode 84, Paula McLain (author of When the Stars Go Dark) shares why decided to break from her previous style now, how nervous she was through the publication process, and her research into childhood trauma. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Paula McLain is the author of the New York Times bestselling novels, The Paris Wife, Circling the Sun, and Love and Ruin. On April 13th, 2021 she introduces her latest title, When the Stars Go Dark. Paula McLain was born in Fresno, California in 1965. After being abandoned by both parents, she and her two sisters became wards of the California Court System, moving in and out of various foster homes for the next fourteen years. When she aged out of the system, she supported herself by working as a nurses aid in a convalescent hospital, a pizza delivery girl, an auto-plant worker, a cocktail waitress–before discovering she could (and very much wanted to) write. She received her MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan in 1996. She is the author of The Paris Wife, a New York Times and international bestseller, which has been published in thirty-four languages. The recipient of fellowships from Yaddo, The MacDowell Colony, the Cleveland Arts Prize, the Ohio Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, she is also the author of two collections of poetry; a memoir, Like Family, Growing up in Other People's Houses; and a first novel, A Ticket to Ride. She lives with her family in Cleveland. | |||
| Ep. 83: 2021 Summer Reading Special with Susie from @NovelVisits | 12 May 2021 | 00:54:57 | |
In Episode 83, Susie Boutry (@NovelVisits) and I share our favorite books that missed last year's Summer Reading Guides, books for people who have time to dig into something big in the summer, and our #1 picks for the four of the five categories featured in Sarah's 2021 Summer Reading Guide. This post contains affiliate links (plus: here's your Amazon Smile-specific affiliate link), through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Our Summer Reading Guides Books That Missed Last Year's Summer Reading Guides [4:12]Sarah
Susie
Sarah
Susie
Something Light / Fun
Something Intense / Fast-Paced
Something with a Bit More Substance
Something Different
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Susie has loved reading for as long as she can remember. Some of her fondest childhood memories involve long afternoons at the library and then reading late into the night. More than ten years ago, she began journaling about the books I read and turned that passion into writing about books. Her first forays were as a guest reviewer on a friend's blog, but she soon realized she wanted to be reviewing and talking about books on a blog of my own. From there, Novel Visits was born. That was in 2016 and, though the learning curve was steep, she loves being a part of the book community. Novel Visits focuses on new novel reviews (print and audio), previews of upcoming releases, and musings on all things bookish. | |||
| Ep. 82: JoAnne Tompkins (Author of What Comes After) + Book Recommendations | 28 Apr 2021 | 00:50:53 | |
In Episode 82, JoAnne Tompkins (author of the debut novel What Comes After) shares how her previous career inspired her to write this story, the real-life case that partially inspired the book, and how she wrote a character-driven novel that was also a page turner. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
JoAnne Tompkins is the author of WHAT COMES AFTER, published April 2021 by Riverhead Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Her first career as a trial lawyer and mediator immersed her in lives disrupted by conflict, injury, and far too often violence and abuse. Yet, she discovered in many a resiliency and passion for life that continues to move her. Her written work explores the small moments that hold the possibility of transformation and for finding grace in life's darkest times. Her short work has appeared in journals such as High Country News, Lithub, Writer in the World, Stratus: Journal of Arts and Writing. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College. She lives in Port Townsend, Washington. | |||
| Ep. 81: Behind the Scenes of Narrating Audiobooks with Julia Whelan (Audiobook Narrator) + Book Recommendations | 14 Apr 2021 | 00:51:40 | |
In Episode 81, audiobook narrator Julia Whelan goes behind the scenes of narrating audiobooks. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Having narrated over 400 audiobooks in all genres, Whelan is, by industry standards, considered one of the top narrators recording today. She's repeatedly featured on Audiofile Magazine's annual Best-Of Lists. She was named Audible's Narrator of the Year in 2014 and is a Grammy-nominated audiobook director. She has acquired multiple Audies and SOVAS (Society of Voice Arts) Awards, including for the performance of her own novel, My Oxford Year. She has won dozens of Earphone Awards, The Audie Award for Best Female Narrator of 2019, and was presented with Audiofile Magazine's Lifetime Achievement Golden Voice Award in 2020. She attributes her distinctive style of narration to her ongoing passion for literature fueled by her decades of acting experience. | |||
| Ep. 80: Spring 2021 Book Preview with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 31 Mar 2021 | 00:53:22 | |
Welcome to the Spring 2021 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! Catherine and I share our most anticipated books coming out April – May 2021 (plus, 2 June 1 releases!). Also, stay tuned for my Most Anticipated Books of Spring 2021 blog post, which is coming out soon. I'll share some of the books I talked about in this podcast, but also some that I didn't! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Announcement
April Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
May Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
June 1 Sarah's Picks:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| Ep. 79: Circling Back to Winter 2021 Preview Books with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 24 Mar 2021 | 00:50:54 | |
Welcome to the first Winter 2021 Circle Back Episode with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books! In the Winter 2021 Book Preview (Ep. 73), Catherine and I shared our most anticipated books coming out January – March 2021. But, we often haven't read the books we share in the Preview Episodes. So, in this new series, we will "circle back" to update you on all the books we presented in the previous season's Book Preview now that we've at least attempted to read them. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
January Catherine's Picks:
February Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
March Sarah's Picks:
Catherine's Picks:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| Ep. 78: Deep Backlist Books with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | 17 Mar 2021 | 00:55:24 | |
In Episode 78, Catherine Gilmore (@gilmoreguide) and I go deep into our backlists to share some of our favorite older books we haven't talked about in a long time! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Sarah
Catherine
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Catherine started The Gilmore Guide to Books over 6 years ago after wrapping up a career as a corporate librarian. She loves books and reading (surprise!) and currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI. | |||
| Ep. 77: Syed M. Masood (Author of The Bad Muslim Discount) + Book Recommendations | 03 Mar 2021 | 00:52:15 | |
In Episode 77, Syed M. Masood (author of The Bad Muslim Discount) joins me to talk about the evolution of The Bad Muslim Discount, writing about serious topics with humor, and what it's like the publish 3 books in 18 months. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books He Loves
Two NEW Books He Loves
One Book He DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE He's Excited About
I grew up in Karachi, Pakistan, and currently live in Sacramento, California. There have been plenty of stops in between though. I'm a first generation immigrant, twice over. I've been a citizen of three different countries and lived in nine cities. I am, as Goethe, said, "nothing but a wanderer […] on this earth." Living among different people, in different countries at fascinating times in their histories, has shaped both my view of the world and my writing. Ultimately, human beings are the same everywhere (despite the fact that they tell themselves, everywhere, that they are different from each other), and the theme of this fundamental human unity informs everything I write. As to my life outside of writing, I went to the William and Mary School of Law, and before that attended the University of Toronto, where I studied English Literature. I am currently practicing as an attorney and must "measure out my life in coffee spoons" on a daily basis. Some members of my family will tell you that I'm also a poet. This isn't true. I wrote a few poems in Urdu when I was a teenager, and I've never heard the end of it…which I wouldn't mind, honestly, if they were any good. As it is, I'm very happy living in prose, thank you very much. Other interests include good food, video games, sitcoms, and books of all kinds. Most of my time that doesn't go to writing or billable hours is consumed by my two children, four and two years of age. | |||
| Ep. 76: Laura Tremaine (Author of Share Your Stuff. I'll Go First & Host of 10 Things to Tell You Podcast) + Book Recommendations | 17 Feb 2021 | 01:09:08 | |
In Episode 76, Laura Tremaine (author of Share Your Stuff. I'll Go First. and host of 10 Things to Tell You podcast) joins me to talk about why women in mid-life have trouble sharing, how she chose the 10 prompts in her book, how her book club chooses the books they read, and how her reading has been recently. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Laura Tremaine grew up in small town Oklahoma and moved to Los Angeles sight unseen when she was twenty-two years old. She worked in film and television production for many years at MTV, VH1, Fox, and Paramount Pictures, before pursuing writing full time. Laura has been sharing her life online for ten years. She writes about friendship, anxiety, motherhood, and marriage. Her blog posts and podcast episodes resonate with women looking for ways to connect more deeply with others as they transform from one era of life into another. Laura lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Jeff, and their two children. | |||
| Ep. 198: Best of Thrillers with Anderson McKean of Page & Palette (@PagePalette) | 11 Jun 2025 | 00:53:53 | |
Ep. 198 is the second episode of our brand-new "Best of…" series. Anderson McKean of Page & Palette Bookstore joined me for the Best of Thrillers, with her all-time TOP TEN favorite thriller novels…and, a couple buzzy thrillers that didn't work for her. Also, Anderson talks about how she started reading thrillers, the wide variety available in the genre, and books from her list that would be perfect for those new to the genre! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights
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| BONUS EPISODE: Sarah's February 2021 Book Recommendations + 4 New Patron Benefits | 11 Feb 2021 | 00:29:33 | |
In this special bonus episode, I share 4 new benefits for podcast patrons and listeners get to hear my February 2021 Book Recommendations episode, which is normally only available to patrons. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Patron Benefits (including 4 New Benefits)Support the podcast on Patreon here! For $5 a month, you'll get access to…
For $3 a month, you'll get…
Your support will go towards…
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
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| Ep. 75: Ashley Audrain (Author of The Push) + Book Recommendations | 03 Feb 2021 | 00:55:32 | |
In Episode 75, Ashley Audrain (author of The Push) joined me to talk about society's expectations of mothers, how her publishing background influenced an early draft of The Push, and what it's like to read and write dark stores. This post contains affiliate links (plus: here's your Amazon Smile-specific affiliate link), through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Ashley previously worked as the publicity director of Penguin Books Canada. Prior to Penguin, she worked in public relations. She is a graduate of the Media, Information & Technoculture program at Western University. She lives in Toronto, where she and her partner are raising their two young children. The Push is her first novel. Next EpisodeThere will not be a new episode next week since the podcast is on a bi-weekly schedule. The following week, there will be a full length episode featuring Laura Tremaine, the author of Share Your Stuff. I'll Go First. and the host of the podcast 10 Things to Tell You (airing February 17). | |||
| Ep. 74: Judging the Aspen Words Literary Prize with Sara Hildreth (@FictionMatters) + Book Recommendations | 20 Jan 2021 | 00:54:31 | |
In Episode 74, Sara Hildreth from @fictionmatters and the Novel Pairings Podcast shares her experience judging the Aspen Words literary prize. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights
Two OLD Books She Loves
Two NEW Books She Loves
One Book She DIDN'T LOVE
One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About
Sara Hildreth is a reader, teacher, and lifelong learner. Prior to this year, Sara taught high school English at an all-girls school in Colorado. While working on her MA in Literature at Georgetown University, Sara began sharing her reading life publicly on Instagram as a way to connect with bibliophiles outside of academia. Through her participation in this community, Sara fell in love with recommending books to a larger audience all while challenging her thinking and expanding her own reading taste. She lives in Denver, CO with her husband and their puppy, Mr. Bingley. | |||